Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri stated that the empowerment of women and education via digital literacy would bring about an unparalleled economic transformation in Pakistan. She was speaking at the closing ceremony of a nationwide workshop organised by the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) to spread the findings of the "Internet Dost" and "Internet Zabardast“ programmes financed by Google.org, the company's charitable arm. The minister asserted that Pakistan has to undergo a digital revolution and receive training on how to use the Internet effectively and positively. "Women equality will benefit the country's progress and women empowerment will contribute to its gross domestic product (GDP) growth.”

The federal minister referred to the two ladies as bright Pakistani women after hearing their success stories as beneficiaries of the Internet Dost project under the Google and NRSP initiative. She remarked, "You have improved the quality of life for your families and communities, and I appreciate you coming here despite all the challenges." She emphasised the importance of fathers in raising strong women who can transform society. She asked NRSP and Google to hold these ceremonies in the remote parts of the project sites so that the locals might see them and take something away from them.

According to Shazia Marri, Article 34 of the Constitution states, "The state will have to bring women in all strata of the state.” According to a research by the International Monetary Fund, if the proportion of women in the workforce is equal to that of men, Pakistan's GDP may increase to 33%. Additionally, an International Labour Organisation study found that if women were to make up 25% more of the workforce on a par with males, the GDP might grow by up to 9%, or $139 billion.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk